Celebrity Chef Christopher Covelli returns from a Tuscany area school of cooking to launch this autumn event at Lakewood Ranch.

As the chef-in-residence and general manager of the Lakewood Ranch Viking Culinary Center (www.lwrviking.com), he unveils an extraordinary event.

It’s a tasting of wild things, and a discovery of aromas that evoke dreams of the Renaissance dining experience.

This event, held Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17, is the brainchild of Christopher Covelli and the team at Florida Winefest & Auction (FWA).

Covelli is hosting Florida’s Wild Truffle Tasting and Festival, a two-day event for residents and travelers to understand flavors of rare culinary truffles and truffle products, including aromatic truffle oils. “There’s nothing like it around. We want to do this every year,” Covelli says.

Covelli says he expects 200 to attend the two-day event to discover the exotic aroma and flavor of the wild truffle at workshops designed by Sarasota’s celebrity chef and the center’s guest chef from Italy, Sandra Lotti (www.toscanasaporita.com).

These two chefs are legendary with Italian cuisine, and discuss hunting the wild truffles, truffle dogs, and the stories surrounding the wildly expensive “mushroom-like aphrodisiacs” treasured by gourmets.
Both spend time teaching at the prestigious James Beard Foundation House in New York City.

When attending Florida’s Wild Truffle Tasting and Festival, ask Chef Covelli for the recipe for his truffle pizza. Also ask him to tell you the story of Gioto, the truffle puppy.
To secure a reservation for the two-day event, November 16-17, contact the Florida Winefest & Auction in Sarasota. Call (800) 216-6199 or (941) 952-1109. Seating is limited.

For more information, visit www.FloridaWinefest.org and join the community in supporting and enjoying this outstanding fundraiser.